Trolling on the internet means annoying others on purpose. If you’ve spent a lot of time on any online community, you’ve probably encountered a troll or two. They’re the people who seem just too stupid to be real – but actually, they are acting like that with the purpose of annoying others.

Trolls are everywhere. They’re in Facebook groups trying to make people fight with each other. They’re in the comment sections of news sites claiming the journalist has all their facts wrong. And yes, they’re on children’s sites creating confusion.

The appeal of trolling lies in the power it gives. When you question everything that everyone says, you can never be wrong. There will always be an argument that you can throw in. If all else fails, a troll can always resort to saying all the others are too stupid to understand what the REAL point of the discussion was – and then quietly log off.

The best way to treat trolls is to ignore them. Aggravating is no fun without a response. If you get into an argument with a troll, you will lose, so why bother?

Kids and trolling

Kids will face trolls too, and many will even try trolling. That’s OK.

It’s a good idea to tell your kid that people don’t always mean what they say online. A troll is typically someone who created their account just for the purpose of trolling. They’re not necessarily bullying: they’re being annoying and they’re trying to get attention.

If your kid tries trolling, don’t worry. Hopefully he or she will realise that it just annoys others and stops soon.

About the author:

Silja Nielsen, Momio

Silja Nielsen is Head of Community and Safety at Momio. She has worked at the company since 2010. Silja has a master’s degree in Media Studies and is interested in privacy, online behaviour and online communities.

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For decades, kids and young people have been warned about grown-ups lurking in suspicious vans. Unfortunately, the sketchy grown-ups have parked their virtual vans online too. Sexual misconduct or mishandling can take many forms on the internet. Unwanted sexual messages and comments and showing or asking for sexual pictures are some common examples of it.

The media loves to emphasize the negative aspects of mobile apps and the internet: “Do you know how much time your child spends online?”, “Save your kid from the dangers of the internet”, and so on.

For kids, being online is a normal part of everyday life: They keep up with social networks and consider it a fun way of spending time. Their phones are packed with apps for sharing pictures, chatting and building online persona.

The combination of people with bad intentions and kids spending time online drive parents to search for solutions. Should parents deny their children the access to internet? Or perhaps force their kids to reveal their browsing history?

No. The real problem is those grown-ups and other youth who circulate unwanted sexual material. The young person receiving it is never to blame, and that cannot be emphasized enough.

In case of sexual abuse

Young people are interested in sex and sexuality. Curiosity is a part of sexual development, and children may search for sexual material themselves. Even if that’s the case, anyone facing sexual abuse is not to blame. The responsibility always lies on the person that exposes other people to sexually explicit, unwanted material.

If your child faces sexual abuse on the internet, in the best case scenario he or she tells you about it. It’s important to stay supportive. You should always thank the child for confiding in you and emphasize that he or she hasn’t done anything wrong.

Here are my tips for protecting your child:

Show real interest in what your kid does online.

Talk openly about the phenomenon of abusive behaviour. Don’t blame or bemoan.

Explore the phenomenon together at a general level and analyze the features of online sexual exploitation.

Encourage your child to tell you if they encounter something suspicious or unpleasant online.

Remember that your child has a right to privacy.

If your child has been harassed or abused, you are naturally overwhelmed with worry. In that case stay focused and try to think what is the best way to ensure your child’s safety. Going through your his or her private messages or forbidding the use of social media isn’t the way to go. Open and honest discussion takes you much further.

After all, even though your parents warned you about the creeps in their vans you were allowed to walk down the street, right?

About the author:

Ilona Mäki, Youth Exit

Ilona Mäki, Bachelor of Social Services and Sexual Counsellor, has several years of working experience in child welfare. The past four years she has worked as a project planner and counsellor at Youth Exit in Finland. Youth Exit prevents sexual exploitation and transactional sex of young people and provides support and counseling to persons from 13 to 29 years of age. Youth Exit is funded by the Finland’s Slot Machine Association and was granted with its Impressive! Award in 2013 for effective work.

Do you sometimes wonder what your kid is up to on social communities? Are you annoyed by the notifications that just keep coming on your phone or iPad? Would you rather have your kid to go outside and play with friends? Or sit and down and have a conversation with you?

To find out why children like spending time in social media, we interviewed a few Momio users. Read the interviews and discover that there’s plenty of space for outdoor activities too!

What do you normally do on Momio?

Minnie, 10 years: ”On a normal day I would first play the animo game in order to look after my animo (a pet on Momio). That is my first priority! Then I check the posts from others to see what they have shared and posted. It is fun to see what everyone writes, and I like it when I post something important and get lots of responses. I also love to chat with my friends. Some of them I already know from school, but I’ve also met new people.”

Thomas…

Thomas…, 12 years: ”I just chat with my friends. That is fun!”

Isi0, 9 years: ”First I always check if someone has sent me a message or a gift. It’s fun to chat with my friends and give gifts! Then I check the latest posts on the sky. If I find something cool I comment on it or share it.”

Miele, 9 years: “When I play Momio, I usually chat with friends. But I also like to help others and to share my ideas about different things. It is fun to have friends on Momio.”

FjAnton, 11 years: ”First I check my messages and then I start chatting. After that I check out the shop and try to find a new cool look. Before I log out I check the posts on the wall.”

How much time do you spend on Momio?

Minnie: ”Not so much as I would like, maybe half an hour every day. My brothers want the iPad too and then I have to do all my homework.”

FjAnton: ”I spend as much time as I can on Momio. It is just so cool and there is always something to do.”

Isi0: ”It depends. If I play with my friends it is more fun to do something outside. But usually I check Momio every day!”

Thomas…: ”I am not sure, but I log in around 1-2 times per day.”

FjAnton

What do you like the most?

Isi0: ”I like everything about Momio. But what I like most is to chat with my friends.”

Thomas…: ”Getting new and funny friends is the best thing about Momio.”

Miele: ”What I like the most about Momio is that everyone is so nice. It is easy to get new friends, and if I am sad I get comfort.”

Minnie: ”The clothes! I just love them! I love fashion and I think the stuff on Momio is absolutely amazing. I also love the animos and to be able to chat with friends. Since my parents don’t allow me to have a real pet, I am so happy about my pets on Momio.”

FjAnton: ”I like everything about Momio. But what I like the most is that it is so easy to chat, buy clothes and make it into the next level.”

So the next time a new notification pops up on your phone, you know that is probably someone that liked the brilliant idea your child posted on Momio. Curious to find out more about what idea that might have been?

Time to have that magic face-to-face conversation with your child!

About the author:

Sara Eichenauer, Momio

Sara Eichenauer worked as a German Community Manager from 2008 to 2015. She worked with online communities in Sweden and Germany for several years. Sara has three kids and is convinced that social media for kids is the best environment to teach our children about online behavior and safety in a fun and monitored way. She has a master’s degree in marketing.